ANNUAL J. MELVIN ENGLAND MOCK TRIAL COMPETITORS ARGUE WRONGFUL DEATH CASE

Abstract

Friday, October 4, 2002

WRITER: Kristine Fortunato 706/542-5172 CONTACT: Kellie Casey 706/542-2739 krcasey@uga.edu

ANNUAL J. MELVIN ENGLAND MOCK TRIAL COMPETITORS ARGUE WRONGFUL DEATH CASE

ATHENS, Ga. - On Sept. 27, 2002, student advocates in the annual J. Melvin England Mock Trial Competition squared off to argue the hypothetical case of Wrigley v. McGuire, a wrongful death suit brought by the widow of a firefighter against a rock climber who fell on an expert cliff and needed rescue.

The jury decided in favor of the defendant, represented by second-year law students Meredith Bunn and Rebecca Franklin. The plaintiff's team was comprised of second-year students Chris Latimer and Stan Baker. A total of 50 students competed for the honor of participating in the mock trial.

School of Law Dean David Shipley said mock trials are a wonderful way for students to get firsthand experience in a courtroom arguing before a judge and jury. "Our students have always risen to the occasion and this year's competition was no exception," he said.

Members of the jury included four School of Law alumni, Georgia Supreme Court Justice George H. Carley, Judge-elect David Sweat of Georgia's Western Circuit Superior Court, Judge Steven C. Jones of Georgia's Western Circuit Superior Court and attorney J. Melvin England, the competition's founder. Also on the jury were attorney Sally B. Akins and Dean Shipley. The presiding judge was Hosch Professor of Law Tom Eaton.

The J. Melvin England Mock Trial Competition was directed by third-year student Megan Jones and coordinated by third-year students Jeffrey Deloach and Nathan Horsley.

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